Rabbit just had a litter, but no nest box. What do I do?

Question

I was given 2 female rabbits about 2 weeks ago. They are both about 8 months old. This morning before work, I noticed one had torn out a bunch of her fur and was piling it in one corner of the cage. When I got home, the other had done the same. Both had babies. One mom seems okay, sitting on her babies and hopping off from time to time. The other has one baby in the center of the cage, covered with shavings and fur. Another baby is in a corner covered up and the mom sits in a different corner. I haven't seen her go near them at all. I'm not certain how many there are and I'm afraid of upsetting her. Neither rabbit has a nest box and I've got a long day at work tomorrow and nowhere to get one tonight. Do I make one out of something I can find around the house and hope for the best or just leave them alone? Do I put the babies together in a corner? Do I give them to the mom who seems to be taking care of the babies? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

you can touch the babies they wont mind as they are used of your cent the babies that are by them-self they could be dead have you got the rabbits inside in a cage if so all you need is some hey or straw  for there beding this will keep them warmer and make sure the water container is bunny safe so they cant drown they will open there eyes between 1 to 2 weeks of age  and around the 4 to 5 week mark you let them eat but don't give them green veggies or grass this will make them sick and they can die when they are 6 weeks they come away from there mums \for good  

Answer 2

What I would definitely do is put the babies in a nest box asap. Babies tend to wiggle around and if they crawl out of the fur-lined area, they can freeze to death because of their lack of fur. This is where you have to make the decision. If you want both mothers to keep their babies, then I would suggest moving the two does to separate cages (if they aren't already).

When you are putting in the nest boxes, just take a shoe box or other small box that is just big enough for the mother to fit it, then line them with newspaper and bedding. Then put the fur that the mother pulling in there, and put the babies slightly on top, but cover them with a bit of the hair. As you are doing this, count to see how many you have in each litter. DO NOT WORRY. They mothers should not abandon their litters just because you touch them. If one of the does has had a very large litter, you may want to split the litter evenly between the two does. When I do this, I put a small dab of Vick's vapor rub or some other kinda smelly substance under the does nose, then just take kits from one nest box, and put them in the other to make is easier on the doe with the bigger litter.

I am not really sure of how you have things set up, but I would get the two does separated as soon as possible becuase they may start to act territorial toward each other, or the opposite does kits.

Answer 3

i think.... you can touch them, maybe wear some soft gloves to do so, and maybe move them over to where the mum is sitting. if possible try to latch them onto her nipples.  

what i'm thinking is that we're all mum's for a first time and maybe she just doesn't know what to do? she's still only a baby herself after all!!   i dont say this to be crude... but is the one covered up with shavings alive? because this could be upsetting her if its dead.... i dont know! good luck!!